LAKEVIEW — Free parking on some neighborhood streets in central Lakeview could be further curtailed if one group of neighbors has its way.
Some residents who live in an area bordered by Sheffield, Racine, Diversey and Belmont complaing that there are not enough open street parking spots when they return home from work. Guests and workers also cannot find parking during the day, they said.
Most side streets in the area are currently restricted to cars with No. 383 residential parking permits from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. — meaning parking is wide open during the day.
But the hours mean that commuters tend to park their cars on the streets, take the train and then pick up their vehicles after work, said Diann Marsalek, president of Central Lake View Neighbors. That leaves fewer open spots during the day and in the early evening when residents return home.
Visitors and employees at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, 836 W. Wellington Ave., also take spots during the day, Marsalek said.
Members of Marsalek's group are starting a petition to extend the hours of the 383 permit zoning to 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., a designation only residents can have.
"That frees up parking for people coming home," Marsalek said.
The hours could be changed if 65 percent of residents with a valid city sticker sign a petition, in addition to other requirements like parking studies that show 45 percent of the cars parked during the requested hours are not owned by residents.
Marsalek sent an email asking residents to contact her if they would like to sign the petition or if they're willing to circulate one on their block.
Residential parking permits are used to keep parking open for people living on largely residential streets. The fee for a permit is $25 a year and is managed by the City Clerk's office.
